32 replies to this topic

[Khobai]

Quote

They never showed any infantry dismounting from those, despite the infantry action

AT-ATs carry 1-2 AT-STs, a bunch of speeder bikes, and like 40 stormtroopers inside them.

But again... AT-ATs are like 5 times bigger than the biggest assault mech.

[Tavious Grimm]

Brenden, on 05 December 2016 - 07:11 PM, said:

Hey if the AT-ATs from Star Wars could do it then Battletech can too!

The difference here is that, mechs are not designed for troop transport. AT-ATs, weapons were all head mounted leaving most of the body as a troop bay.

Also you do NOT want conventional troops riding on a mech. All of the bumping/ jarring/sudden change of direction, not to mention possible exposure of your troops does not make for a smooth ride. Troop carriers can do that faster and a lot safer. Not to mention unless your own troops have Battle Armor you want them NOWHERE near where the mechs are fighting. City environments are one thing...wide open warfare is plain suicide. Near misses from mech sized weapons against conventional infantry....ugh, not cleaning up that mess.

Edited by Tavious Grimm, 05 December 2016 - 07:44 PM.

[Brenden]

Hmm, maybe yall are right.
Would still be a cool idea thought.

[Jingseng]

Wecx, on 05 December 2016 - 07:31 PM, said:

You didn't play the TT did you.

Talking to yourself, are you?

Brenden, on 05 December 2016 - 07:45 PM, said:

Hmm, maybe yall are right.
Would still be a cool idea thought.

I think the point we are all making is: No it wouldn't =p Clearly you didn't think this idea through the least bit =p

[TLBFestus]

There is.... Star Wars stole it and it's called an ATAT

Spoiler

[Barantor]

Brenden, on 05 December 2016 - 07:06 PM, said:

And these are all faults I plan on fixing! I just need time to Homebrew up an infantry carrier!
Maybe I'll make it 60-65 tons, using non-standard parts. Hmm..

I think in one of the novels there were some infantry that rode on a quad agro-mech and they dismounted before they got to the battle. The agro-mech had been modified to have a medium laser.

[Shadowomega1]

As someone said a lot of clan mechs have handholds for Elementals. See this pic of the Invasion Timberwolf. Image By Sp0oky777 over on DeviantArt.

[Khalcruth]

In the mech construction rules, I am fairly positive you could equip a mech with cargo pods. And I'm almost positive that cargo pods could carry people in them.

As far as fighting is concerned, I'd agree that vehicles would probably work much better for this role. But I believe that the rules could technically allow you to carry an normal human infantry platoon if you really, really wanted to.

[Pariah Devalis]

The Firemoth was originally designed to be a troop transport, actually. Those upside down arms are like that for a reason. Special carry boxes for infantry were to mount to the undersides of those arms, as the mech charged into position, disgorged its troops, and then offered some light support.

The advent of Elemental power armor made that role redundant, however. The personnel boxes were removed, but the wonky hands? That was a glorious oversight, meaning the production Firemoths arms remained upside down.

Edited by Pariah Devalis, 05 December 2016 - 09:33 PM.

[Dirus Nigh]

FupDup, on 05 December 2016 - 06:29 PM, said:

Realistically speaking yes, but I don't think that the BT universe has game rules for it.

Yes they do. Btech construction rules cover all vehicles and infantry. Mechs can have cargo containers, so they should be able to have troop bays. Which is really a cargo container with seats.

[Dee Eight]

There are construction rules actually for internally carrying cargo inside an industrial mech, including in the form of infantry compartments. Battlemechs are restricted to external hauling only, and this is why Clan Omnis have load points for battle armor.

[albinogryphon]

All Clan Omnimechs have five sets of handholds for a Point of Elementals to ride on. I think it was on Elemental per torso arc other then the front main section, but I don't have my old Compendium handy. Torso weapons could not be fired while Elementals were mounted, and the Elementals would function as additional 'armor' for the Omnimech if still mounted and take damage first if an occupied torso section took a hit. Additionally the Elementals could plug into the Mech's reactor and comm system during the ride.

In general, Mechs are capable of mounting both protected (Internal) and unprotected (External) cargo. Internal had to have bays assigned during construction, or theoretically via omnimech pod. I would think that additional consideration for the 'stability' of the ride, and extremely cramped space and heat issues would make no manufacturer willing to dedicate such a space into an expensive Battlemech where that tonnage and space can be far better used for weapons/equipment/or armor. Troop transports exist in a wide variety in Battletech Lore, including numerous VTOLS, hover, wheeled, and tracked vehicles. Some have noted 'creature' comforts in their design as well as the capability to convert to potential field hospital use. I think only Clan Hells Horses might be crazy enough to try and do troop transport in a Mech. Maybe.

http://www.sarna.net...i/Transport_Bay

[TheArisen]

While there aren't any mechs that are like APCs most clan mechs have rails or something for elementals to hold onto.